Luke 6:27 Meaning and Explanation
“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus calls us to a love that reaches past friends and family all the way to those who stand against us.
The Context of Luke 6:27
From the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17-49), spoken to disciples and a great crowd. The little phrase 'which hear' marks a turn: this teaching is for those actually willing to listen and live it.
What Does Luke 6:27 Mean?
Jesus says something that cuts against every natural instinct. Loving the people who love us is easy and ordinary; even those with no faith manage that. He aims higher, at the enemy, the one who hates us, and He does not stop at a feeling. 'Do good' makes love a thing of the hands, an action we choose toward someone who has not earned it. This is a clear-eyed strength, one that faces the wrong honestly and still refuses to return hatred for hatred.
Jesus taught this and then lived it to the end. From the cross He prayed for the very men who nailed Him there (Luke 23:34). The love He asks of us is the love He first poured out on us, for the Scripture says that while we were still enemies, He died for us (Romans 5:10). When we love an enemy, we are doing the most Christlike thing there is, and letting His mercy move through us into the world.
Luke 6:27 in the Original Language
agapao (ἀγαπάω), 'love' -- a love of deliberate goodwill and action, chosen toward another whether or not it is returned.
How to Apply Luke 6:27 Today
Loving those who love us back comes naturally; Jesus points us toward the harder, holier thing. We can pray for the person who has wronged us and look for one concrete good to do them. That is the love He showed us first.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 6:27
What does Luke 6:27 mean?
Jesus calls us to a love that reaches past friends and family all the way to those who stand against us.
What is the context of Luke 6:27?
From the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17-49), spoken to disciples and a great crowd. The little phrase 'which hear' marks a turn: this teaching is for those actually willing to listen and live it.
How can I apply Luke 6:27 today?
Loving those who love us back comes naturally; Jesus points us toward the harder, holier thing. We can pray for the person who has wronged us and look for one concrete good to do them. That is the love He showed us first.